Transangels: A celebration of diversity in Essex

Sub-Editor

Transangels, in South East Essex, is a well-known venue for people from the trans community.

TransAngels is a newly established event group in Essex, set up in celebration and support of Transvestism and Transsexualism. They host monthly social events in Essex to bring the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community together, all under one roof, for a wild night out!

Julie Harris is the organiser and host of TransAngels and she isn’t your average Essex girl.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Nov 7, 2017 at 6:29am PST

Growing up, Harris was always a vocal supporter of the transgender community. But it’s still a surprise that the 56-year-old cisgender woman from Essex used to make a living selling wigs to trans women, and now runs a trans and cross-dressing support group.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Jun 8, 2018 at 2:22pm PDT

“We are the leading wig supplier and stylist in Essex, and have been helping our clients to wear hair they are proud of since 2007,” Harris says. Angel Wigs attracts regular clients from all over Essex.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on May 15, 2018 at 8:28am PDT

From their discrete Canvey Island salon, Julie’s experienced staff provide a compassionate, understanding and individual service. They are experts in finding you the perfect wig to suit your face shape, skin tone, style and personality. It’s no wonder their slogan is: “Hair made in heaven.”

“I have always been very open-minded and I’m not prejudiced in any way,” she says.

“When I started meeting the T-girls, I was totally unfazed by them. All my family and friends have been very supportive of TransAngels, and I am very comfortable with T-girls and most people belonging to the transgender community.”

Not only does Harris enjoy selling wigs at her shop, she devotes an equal amount of time catering to the social life of the transgender community by hosting events every month at TransAngels, so people can come and have a great night out with other like-minded people.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Jan 19, 2018 at 12:42am PST

“We host monthly social events in Essex to bring the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community together, all under one roof, for a wild night out.”

The event is held at Starr Snooker & Vi Bowl in Canvey Island on the last Saturday of every month from 8 pm onwards. On average 60 girls turn up at the venue and the event is proving to be very popular.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Nov 13, 2016 at 3:55pm PST

There are dressing facilities in the club, friendly service for new girls, a local hotel for overnight stay and a licensed bar.

“All T-girls, partners and respectful friends are welcome to attend the event by paying a fee of £10 they can have their hair done, put lashes on, and get all glammed up for a fun night out and celebrate diversity and trans living at Canvey Island,” Harris says.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Jun 4, 2018 at 12:17am PDT

“Crossdressing is a great stress-buster for me,” says Pauline. She defies her age enjoying endlessly and dressing up as a woman. “I want to be like this. I don’t want to be a woman. I am a regular at TransAngels and meet guys and girls whenever I attend the event. I am happily married with three children and three grandchildren.”

Harris lives with her husband in Essex and has three children from a previous marriage. Her middle daughter joins and supports Julie by coming to her trans events regularly and knows lots of the T-girls at TransAngels.

“I fully support the trans community at my shop and event,” she says. “I have loads of T-girl friends now and lots of them are coming to my shop and they sit with me and we chat about different things. They have different problems in their lives and we try to solve them. I have a T-girl (work) partner as well, now.”

Harris enjoys the work she does and puts her heart and soul into the club, which has been running since 2015.

For T-girls, transvestites and transsexuals looking to have fun and meeting other girls, there can be no better place to be than TransAngels.

A post shared by TransAngels (@transangelsessex) on Nov 7, 2017 at 7:11am PST

“TransAngels is a great place to unwind. I am into cross-dressing because it just feels the right thing to do. For me, it’s not sexual, it’s not dressing up and meeting people. It’s a feel-good factor and the male side is gone for the time being,” says Skye High.

She was having drinks with her friends, laughing and cracking jokes. “This event has brought me so much happiness and I have made lots of T-girl friends who all share the same interests as me. Whenever I come here, I forget that I am male and concentrate on having fun.”

TransAngels events are ideal for a first-night-out and for those who are already ‘out’, so what better place to party till the wee hours of the morning, and celebrate diversity and trans living with them.

All the information about Angel Wigs (hair made in heaven) can be accessed through their website.